From: The Blaylock Wellness Report
The key to preventing atherosclerosis and all its complications is to avoid red meats and increase your intake of healthy foods (fruits and vegetables), antioxidants and supplements known to reduce inflammation.
These recommendations only include things known to powerfully inhibit atherosclerosis.
Other nutrients will help as well. (I would also caution you to avoid iron, which increases atherosclerosis). Below are some of the most powerful protectants.
• Magnesium Citrate or Citrate/Malate
This is the most important of all nutrients for preventing atherosclerosis. It slightly thins the blood, dramatically reduces inflammation, improves blood flow and enhances energy. The dose is two capsules three times a day between meals. It is best if you empty them into a glass of distilled or filtered water and take them between meals on an empty stomach. At this dose, some may experience diarrhea. If this happens, cut back to two capsules a day and gradually increase over the next month. If you have heart block or kidney disease, consult your doctor before taking magnesium. Vegetables are high in this mineral but should be pureed in a blender to allow for maximum absorption of nutrients.
• Vitamin C and Zinc (and Vitamin E)
A great deal of studies have shown that combining vitamins C and E can dramatically reduce heart attack and stroke risk - almost twice as much as statin drugs. You may have heard reports of recent studies in major medical journals that found a slightly increased mortality in people with advanced heart disease who took vitamin E. This is not surprising since vitamin E alone weakens the fibrous cap on the plaque I mentioned earlier, making it more unstable. Vitamin C (buffered) combined with zinc greatly strengthens the cap. In fact, one recent study found that this combination greatly reduced atherosclerosis in an experimental model.
If you have a history of heart disease or stroke, you should take 1,000 mg. of buffered vitamin C three times a day, along with 50 mg. of zinc a day and 800 IU of natural-form vitamin E. They lower CRP levels.
• Quercetin
This is one of the most commonly found flavonoids in edible plants and has been shown to lower levels of various blood fats while dramatically reducing atherosclerosis in major blood vessels. A recent study found a 3,500% reduction in atherosclerosis in animals givin the substance. It protects LDL cholesterol from oxidizing.
Quercetin is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-proliferative that prevents platelet stickiness and lowers CRP levels. It also reduces histamine release, making it excellent for the allergy season. Mix 500 mg. with fish oil and take twice to three times a day.
• Curcumin
Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that reduces cell adhesion in molecules and lowers the risk of thrombosis. In two recent studies, it lowered LDL cholesterol, reduced lipid peroxidation and significantly slashed atherosclerosis even in small concentrations. In one study it cut the levels of atherosclerosis lesions in half. It lowers CRP levels and has also been shown to stabilize the plaques.
• Drink White Tea Twice a Day
White tea contains high levels of catechins and epicatechins - substances that suppress enzymes from atherosclerotic plaques that erode the cap. It also contains a number of powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory flavonoids.
• Fish Oils
Fish oils contain special substances called DHA and EPA - both of which significantly reduce atherosclerosis by several mechanisms. (See my omega-3 newsletter). This oil is polyunsaturated, so it is vital to keep it refrigerated. Good brands contain vitamin E. Use only a pure product. I would recommend either Pure Encapsulation Products or Carlson Company. You can mix the curcumin and quercetin into them as well. Also mix 125 mg. of CoQ10 with a teaspoon of the oil to enhance absorption.
• Ellagic Acid
This is a flavonoid found in raspberries, walnuts and pomegranates. It has been found to be a powerful inhibitor of several cancers, and a recent study found that it dramatically reduces atherosclerosis in animals. The control animals had 45% of their aortic surfaces covered with atherosclerosis, but that was dramatically reduced to under 3% after treatment with ellagic acid. You can get it from (www.raspberrygold.com.) Take one tablet twice a day or sprinkle one teaspoon on your food twice a day.
• Folate, B12 and B6
These three vitamins have been shown to significantly lower homocysteine levels, an independent risk factor. Homocysteine inflicts the most damaging effects on advanced atherosclerosis by making the plaque unstable. I recommend taking a multiple vitamin/mineral capsule such as Extend Core (www.vrp.com) three times a day. It also contains selenium, a critical antioxidant.
• Conjugated Linolenic Acid (CLA)
This special oil has been used for weight reduction. It has been shown to reduce visceral fat efficiently and dramatically reduce atherosclerosis in animal tests. It also reversed pre-existing atherosclerosis. Studies in patients show a strong correlation between low CLA intake and coronary heart disease and strokes. To reduce visceral fat, take 2,000 mg. twice a day. Mix with a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. You may feel a slight burning sensation if you use the liquid. The maintenance dose is 1,000 mg. a day.
• Policosanol
Extracted from the waxy coating of sugar cane, this plant sterol has been shown to lower "bad" cholesterol, raise HDL cholesterol and reduce the inflammation in the atherosclerosis plaque (wall of the blood vessel). The dose is 20 mg. once a day. Higher doses add no greater effect.
